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President Obama clears way for relief funds for those affect by floods in Woodridge

By SUBURBAN LIFE MEDIA

May 14, 2013

WOODRIDGE – Federal disaster relief funds will help Woodridge residents still reeling from last month's storms.

On Friday, President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration, extending relief funds to the 11 counties throughout Illinois – including DuPage, Cook and Will counties – afflicted by the flash floods.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

FEMA has been conducting damage assessment surveys throughout Illinois and more assistance could be made available in the coming weeks.

President Obama's decision comes on the heels of weeks of lobbying from Gov. Pat Quinn and several state representatives.

In a May 9 letter addressed to the president, state representatives expressed that local funds are not an adequate means of addressing the damaged homes and public infrastructure.

"It is clear from the magnitude of the damage that recovery efforts will be beyond means of state and local budgets," the letter said. "A major disaster declaration will make critical federal assistance available to help our communities to rebuild and recover."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been conducting damage assessment surveys throughout Illinois and more assistance could be made available in the coming weeks.

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